Anyone in New York City knows that when there's bad weather (like rain) it's almost impossible to catch a taxi in New York City. It's fair to say, you are screwed when you need a taxi cab during bad weather. So when a taxi stops to pick you up, you should appreciate it a little more. That's just good karma.
So when someone I know tells me his friend won't tell him how to freeze a photo of a car while the background is blurred, I was upset. He told me his friend said it was his secret; and wouldn't share it. I think that's a load of BS. Since the first camera was made, people have shared their knowledge with others. There's so much to photography, that technique alone won't make you the best photographer in the industry. Take a look at Trey Radcliff (@TreyRatcliff) or Lisa Bettany (@mostlylisa). These two inspiring photographers share their knowledge with the world. Not sharing something so widely known doesn't make any sense.
This person seeking knowledge is spanking new to photography. He's about a month old. So I try my best to give him as much help as he needs. I not only told him how to do it. But took the below photo as an example.
Click the link below the photo for instructions on how to freeze an object with a blurry background. If you feel it's helpful, please leave me a comment. If you want to see a larger photo of the taxi follow me on Flickr or view my Smugmug account at danrusso.smugmug.com. You can view a large photo of the taxi by clicking the photo.
HOW TO: Freeze an object in motion while the background is blurred.
If you are on a point and shoot camera, I can't tell you how to set up your point and shoot camera. Please refer to the owners manual. The steps are the same as the set up for a DSLR camera.
- Step 1: Set up your camera so that it has a long exposure time. This can be done by performing the following
- Lower your ISO to as close to 100 as possible.
- Reduce the shuttle speed as much as possible, while still allowing for good exposure.
- Adjust your aperture setting to taste. The lower the setting the more depth of field aka DOF you will have. This means your background and foreground will be slightly blurred to heavily blurred. Depending on your aperture setting. If you want a crisp image increase your aperture to a higher number i.e. F22. If you want a image where everything not in the lens' depth of field is blurred, reduce the aperture to it's lowest setting i.e. F1.8.
- Step 2: Take several test shots of the area to achieve proper exposure.
- Step 3: Locate an area where your object will enter. Then focus as best as possible. i.e. if you are shooting cars, pick a lane and wait until a car passes. Then focus as best as possible.
NOTE: TRY NOT TO AUTO FOCUS. Many cameras do not have a quick enough auto focus mechanism. Auto focus only if you have complete control of how your camera functions.
- Step 4: Pace your object's speed. i.e. If you are shooting cars, pick a car and track it with your camera and lens. Look through the eye piece or view on your screen. Make sure you are comfortable with the pace traffic is moving.
NOTE: I suggest doing this technique as much as possible. You don't even need to have your camera to practice (although it's better if you do). Just position your hands as if you were holding a camera. Then simply pace your object of interests.
- Step 5: Be patient. Pick your object as closely as possible. Track it. Press the shutter when you see your desired shot.
- Step 6: Do it over and over again. For the above photo I took a total of 5 photos.
The above photo was taken with my Canon 5D + Canon 200mm L2.8 - Set to the following stats ISO 100 at F2.8 (aperture set to 18) and my shutter speed was 1/30 of a second.
Have a great time shooting. And please leave a comment with your own photos. I'd love to check them out an give you constructive criticism if applicable.
Below is a screen grab of my EXIF data.
